Portable chemical toilet system

ABSTRACT

A PORTABLE TOILET SYSTEM MOUNTED ON A RAILROAD CAR INCLUDING A TOILET HOUSING COMPARTMENT POSITIONED WITHIN THE RAILROAD CAR AND HAVING A RECEIVING TANK POSITIONED THEREIN ADAPTED TO CONTAIN A LIQUID CHEMICAL SOLUTION FOR DECOMPOSING PURPOSES AND A TOILET SEAT HAVING AN OPENING THERETHROUGH MOUNTED IN THE COMPARTMENT. THE RECEIVING TANK HAS A PASSAGEWAY COMMUNICATING WITH THE TOILET SEAT OPENING AND IS ADAPTED AND ARRANGED TO RECEIVE EXCREMENT FROM THE TOILET SEAT OPENING. THE SYSTEM ALSO INCLUDES AN ENCLOSED HOLDING TANK POSITIONED BELOW THE RECEIVING TANK AND EXTERIORLY OF THE RAILROAD CAR THEREBENEATH WHICH IS ADAPTED AND ARRANGED TO RECEIVE AND HOLD PERIODIC DISCHARGES OF THE CONTENTS OF THE RECEIVING TANK AFTER EXCRETA HAS BUILT UP THEREIN, AND PASSAGE MEANS COMMUNICATING BETWEEN THE TANKS WITH SELECTIVELY OPERABLE VALVE MEANS POSITIONED IN THE PASSAGE MEANS FOR TRANSFERRING THE CONTENTS OF THE RECEIVING TANK INTO THE HOLDING TANK. THE HANDLE OF THE VALVE MEANS IS INACCESSIBLE TO THE USER OF THE TOILET WITHIN THE COMPARTMENT AND IS OPERABLE FROM A POSITION EXTERIORLY OF THE RAILROAD CAR.

March 16, 1971 ELUS ETAL 3,570,016

PORTABLE CHEMICAL TOILET SYSTEM Filed March 6, 1969 v 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 n II FIGJ

INVENTOR$ Arm/Mk5 United States Patent O 3,570,016 PORTABLE CHEMICAL TOILET SYSTEM Francis L. Ellis, John H. Thornton, and Burley Frank Inman, Jacksonville, Fla., assignors to Duval Chemical Toilets, Inc., Jacksonville, Fla.

Filed Mar. 6, 1969, Ser. No. 804,935

Int. Cl. B61d 35/00 U.S. Cl. 4-8 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A portable toilet system mounted on a railroad car including a toilet housing compartment positioned within the railroad car and having a receiving tank positioned therein adapted to contain a liquid chemical solution for decomposing purposes and a toilet seat having an opening therethrough mounted in the compartment. The receiving tank has a passageway communicating with the toilet seat opening and is adapted and arranged to receive excrement from the toilet seat opening. The system also includes an enclosed holding tank positioned below the receiving tank and exteriorly of the railroad car therebeneath which is adapted and arranged to receive and hold periodic discharges of the contents of the receiving tank after excreta has built up therein, and passage means communicating between the tanks with selectively operable valve means positioned in the passage means for transferring the contents of the receiving tank into the holding tank. The handle of the valve means is inaccessible to the user of the toilet within the compartment and is operable from a position exteriorly of the railroad car.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the invention This invention relates to an improved toilet system. More particularly the invention disclosed herein pertains to an improved sewage disposal system and toilet device for use in vehicles which can be quickly and conveniently operated to provide a safe storage" for excreta for long periods of time until convenient disposal is available. The system, adapted for vehicular use, employs a chemical toilet and includes a receiving tank positioned within the vehicle and a holding tank positioned beneath the vehicle adapted to periodically receive discharges from the receiving tank and adapted to hold a plurality of these dis charges for a long period of time until disposal is available.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART Toilet systems and more particularly sewage disposal systems including a toilet device, adapted for vehicular use or of a portable nature have been previously devised, such prior art arrangements and systems being generally disclosed in the U.S. Pats. Nos. 1,081,130; 1,303,358; 1,439,748; 1,859,925; 2,011,511; 2,514,230; 2,604,635; 2,740,971; 2,755,482; 2,817,846, and 3,042,933. Applicants invention of an improved sanitary toilet device and sewage disposal system, disclosed herein, is an improvement over such prior devices, as shown for example in the above mentioned patents.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is a general object of this invention to provide an improved means for collecting and temporarily retaining for long periods of time the matter commonly deposited in a vehicular toilet.

Another object of the invention is to provide a toilet and ice sanitary disposal system particularly adapted for portable or vehicular use and including a receiving tank and a holding tank, which system may be used and employed for long periods of time without the necessity of recharging the receiving tank and for longer periods of time without the necessity of emptying or draining the holding tank.

Yet another object of the subject invention is to provide an improved, relatively inexpensive, easily operated portable toilet system readily adaptable to vehicular use, which may be characterized as essentially odorless, sanitary, relatively compact, being able to fit into a small space, easily serviced, and generally simplifying the problem of sewage disposal.

Still another object of the instant invention is to provide in the above described type of toilet system simplified control means for regenerating the system and simplified control means for emptying or draining the system at points where regular and convenient sewage disposal means are available.

A further object of this invention is to provide in a toilet and sanitary disposal system including a receiving tank and a holding tank, a valve positioned between the receiving tank and holding tank and having an operative handle conveniently located to the caretaker of the system and out of the reach of the user of the toilet whereby the operative handle may not be disturbed by the user of the toilet but may be quickly and conveniently operated by the caretaker of the system.

In general these objects are attained by providing a toilet system including a toilet housing compartment having a receiving tank positioned therein adapted to contain chemical solution for decomposing purposes, with a toilet seat having an opening therethrough mounted in the compartment. The receiving tank has a passageway communicating with the opening of the toilet seat and receives excrement from the toilet seat opening. The system further includes a closed holding tank positioned below the receiving tank adapted and arranged to receive and hold periodic discharges of the contents of the receiving tank after excreta has built up therein, and passageway means communicating between the tanks with selectively operable valve means positioned in the passageway means for transferring the contents of the receiving tank into the holding tank. The handle of the valve means is inaccessible to the user of the toilet within the compartment and is operable from a position exteriorly of the compartment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of this invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its organization and method of operation may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connectiton with the accompanying draw ings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the intsallation and use of the improved toilet system of this invention within a railroad car;

FIG. 2 is an end view of the improved toilet system of the invention, portions thereof being shown in crosssection;

FIG. 3 is a partial side view of the improved toilet system of this invention, portions thereof being broken away and portions thereof being shown in cross-section;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the receiving tank used in the improved toilet system of this invention.

9 DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With detailed reference to the drawings, and in particular to FIG. 1 thereof, the improved vehicular toilet system and of this invention is seen to be mounted in or installed on a railroad camp car structure or railroad work crew car 12 for operation and use therewith. Although the toilet system 10 is shown in connection with railroad car 12, the device is readily adaptable and usable in similar form with any vehicle. Railroad camp car 12 is seen to include a roof 14, sidewalls 16, floor 18 and wheels 20 mounted on axle 22 for movement over and along rails 24 which are secured to ties 26 positioned on the ground surface 28. Toilet system 10 includes two main portions, the first portion being that positioned interiorly of the railroad car 12 or above the floor 18 thereof, and the second portion being positioned exteriorly of car 12 or below floor 18 thereof. There are additionally portions of the system extending through the floor 18 and connecting together the upper and lower portions of the system.

Positioned within railroad car 12 and on or above floor 18 thereof is a toilet compartment or enclosure 30 having a ceiling 32, a floor 34, opposite sidewalls, 36 and 38 and opposite endwalls 40 and 42. Toilet enclosure 30 further includes an exhaust fan 44 for exhausting air from enclosure 30 when the same is in use into exhaust duct 46 attached thereto and into the main exhaust or ventilating duct 48 of the systems, which is attached to duct 46 by Y-joint 47. An electric light socket and bulb 50 is included to illuminate the interior of enclosure 30 and is controlled by a switch 52 positioned on sidewall 36 which switch additionally controls the operation of exhaust fan 44. An electric conductor 54 extends between and is connected to switch 52, light 50 and exhaust or ventilating fan 44.

The toilet room 30 is additionally provided with an automatic ventilating louver 56 which extends through the sidewall 38 thereof and the sidewall 16 of the railroad car 12 to permit fresh air to be drawn from the exterior of the railroad car into the interior of toilet room 30 by means of the exhaust or ventilating fan 44. Automatic ventilating louver 56 is provided with sealing flaps or members 57, which are normally gravity sealed in the closed position, but which are opened by air passing through louver 56 upon operation of exhaust fan 44. The toilet room or enclosure 30 is constructed to be air-tight with respect to the interior of the vehicle or railroad car 12.

With further reference to FIG. 1, and in addition FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, toilet room or enclosure 30 is provided with a door 58 opening inward of room 30 from the interior of railroad car 12 to provide ingress into and egress from the interior of toilet room 30. Door 58 is provided with a handle or nob 60 for opening, closing and generally operating the same. Door 58 is pivotally mounted and attached to sidewall 36 of room 30 by means of hinges, as at 62 (see in particular FIG. 3) such as pivoted inward thereof. A gasket or appropriate weather stripping 64 (FIG. 4) is provided between sidewall 36 and door 58, and extends around door 58 to seal the doorway or entranceway of toilet room 30, making the same airtight with respect to the interior of the vehicle or railroad car 12 thereby preventing the escape of any possible noxious odors into the interior of car 12.

Positioned within the lower portion of toilet room 30 is a toilet seat box 66 including a top 68, side walls 70 and a front Wall 72. Top 68 of toilet seat box 66 is provided with an opening or hole 74 extending therethrough and generally centrally positioned therein. Hingedly attached to toilet seat box top 68 by means of hinge 76 is a toilet seat 78 which surrounds opening 74 and a toilet seat lid 80 adapted and arranged to cover toilet seat 78. A gasket 82 extends around opening 74 and forms 4 an airtight seal with toilet seat 78 when the seat is in its lowered position as depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3. The toilet seat cover or lid is likewise provided with a gasket which forms an airtight seal with toilet seat 78 when the cover 80 is in its lowered posititon as depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3.

The lower end portion of main exhaust or ventilating duct 48 extends downward through the top 68 of toilet seat box 66 and opens outwardly into the interior of seat box 66 to provide natural ventilation of the interior of toilet seat box 66. The upper end portion of duct 48 extends upward through toilet room ceiling 32 and roof 14 of car 12 and opens outwardly to the atmosphere thereabove. A protective cap 49 is provided extending over the upper end of ventilating duct 48.

Positioned within toilet seat box 66 is a receiving or toilet seat tank 84, see in particular FIGS. 1, 2 and 5. Toilet seat or receiving tank 84 includes an open top 86, generally upright side walls 88, a generally upright back wall and an inwardly and downwardly inclined front wall 92. Tank 84 is further provided with an inwardly and downwardly extending lip 94 surrounding the open top 86 thereof, an outer bottom 95 and an inner inwardly and downwardly sloping bottom 96 to aid in the rapid flushing and complete emptying of tank 84. The inwardly and downwardly sloping sides and ends of inner bottom 96 meet in the central portion of the bottom of receiving tank 84 where an opening or passageway 98 is provided through the inner 96 and outer 95 bottoms on tank 84. A nipple or coupling pipe 100 extends through opening or passageway 98 and is connected to outer and inner bottoms 95 and 96 of receiving tank 84.

Tank 84 further includes inwardly and downwardly extending baffie plates 102 connected to and extending completely around the walls (88, 90 and 92) of tank 84 and positioned approximately mid-way between the top and bottom thereof. Additional generally upright baflle plates 104 are connected to and extend across forward and rearward wall baflle plates 102 to act with baffle plates 102 to prevent the splashing and sloshing around within tank 84 of the contents contained therein when car 12 is in motion.

With particular reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the improved toilet system 10 of this invention further includes a large holding or storage tank 106 positioned outward of and below toilet enclosure 30 and floor 18 of car 12. Holding or storage tank 106 is attached to the framework 108 of car 12 by means of a pair of mounting straps or brackets 110 attached thereto by appropriate means such as bolts or the like. Holding or storage tank 106 includes an upper generally horizontal top wall 112, a pair of generally upright sidewalls 114, a pair of generally upright end walls 116 and a bottom 118.

Tank 106 is equipped with a pressure relief valve 120 positioned in and extending through the upper portion of one wall 116 to provide an escape for gases which may build up from the waste product within the tank. Relief valve 120 in addition to being automatically pressure operable to relive pressure from within tank 106 IS a hand operated valve such that when operated by hand liquid will overflow therefrom in the event that the liquid level within tank 106 has reached the height of relief valve 120. In this manner relief valve 120 acts as an indicator for indicating the liquid level build-up within tank 106.

A threaded nipple 122 extends through the other upright end wall 116 closely adjacent the bottom 118 of tank 106 for connection thereto of a quick opening disk type valve 124. Quick opening valve 124 is provided with an operating handle 126 by which the build-up of excreta and the mixture of chemical and water contained within holding tank 106 may be disposed of when the tank becomes substantially full, by flushing through this valve 124 into an appropriate sanitary sewer system or other like means of disposal. The bottom 118 of holding tank 106 is V-shaped, as can be readily seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, especially adjacent the valve end thereof, to aid and assist in the rapid flushing and complete emptying of the liquid contained in tank 106 by means of valve 124.

Connected to and opening through top wall 112 of holding tank 106 is a threaded nipple 127 to which is connected a second quick-opening disk type valve 128 provided with a control handle 130 through which the contents of receiving tank 84 pass into holding or storage tank 106. A short nipple 132 is attached to the upper portion of valve 128 and extends a short distance upward therefrom. A neoprene hose or sleeve 134 connects the lower portion of nipple 100 extending downward from receiving tank 84 and the upper portion of nipple 132 extending upward from valve 128 and is secured thereto by means of a pair of clamps 136. Nipple 100 and hose or sleeve 134 extend through an opening or passageway 138 provided within the floor 18 of railroad car 12. An extension handle or rod 140 is attached to the operating handle 130 of quick-opening valve 134 and extends outward to the side thereof through an appropriate opening within the framework 108 of car 12. Extension rod or handle 140 is movable from an inoperative position 142 in which valve 134 is closed to an operative position 144 (shown in dashed line configuration in FIG. 2) in which valve 134 is in its opened position whereby the contents, excreta and mixture of chemical and water, contained in receiving tank 84 may be quickly flushed by gravity into holding or storage tank 106. Extension rod or handle 140 is positioned outward of toilet enclosure 30 and car 12 to prevent the unintended or inadvertent operation of valve 128 and the flushing of receiving tank 84 into holding tank 106 by users of the toilet system or other unauthorized personnel from the interior of toilet room 30 or car 12, but is so positioned as to be convenient to the attendant or caretaker of the toilet system for operation of valve 128 and the flushing of receiving tank 84 into holding tank 106 at the appropriate times when the build-up of excreta in tank 84 reaches the point where it is appropriate or becomes necessary for disposal.

When the improved toilet system of this invention is in operation the attendant thereof will charge receiving tank 84 contained within toilet seat box 66 with an appropriate amount of a mixture of chemical and water. Then when the system is used excreta will be deposited into receiving tank 84 to be contained in the mixture of chemical and water therein and buildup to the point where it becomes necessary or appropriate for disposal, at which time the attendant will flush the contents of receiving tank 84 into holding or storage tank 106 by opening valve 128 through the operation of handle 130 and extension rod 140 associated therewith. Thereafter, when the contents of tank 84 have been emptied into tank 106, valve 128 will be closed and a new mixture of water and chemical is again charged or applied to tank 84 for another cycle of use. After many such cycles of operation, involving the flushing and recharging of receiving tank 84, excreta and the mixture of chemical and water will build up in holding tank 106 until this tank becomes substantially full, thereafter the contents of holding tank 106 can be properly disposed of into a sanitary sewer system or appropriate vehicle for transportation to a sanitary sewer system, by the opening of valve 124 using operating hand 126 thereof and flushing the contents contained within holding tank 106 through valve 124.

During the entire operation of the toilet system 10, holding or storage tank 106 is entirely sealed from the atmosphere and is opened thereto only when valve 128 is periodically opened to fiush the contents of receiving tank 84 thereinto or when it becomes necessary to drain tank 106 through valve 124.

When the toilet system is in operation, ventilation is provided thereto by outside air being drawn into toilet room 30 by exhaust fan 44 pulling the same through louver 56 and opening the sealing member 57 therein. During these periods of ventilation air from both inside the toilet room 30 and the interior of toilet seat box 66 is exhausted to the atmosphere through ducts 46 and 48. When the toilet room is not in use or operation and the toilet seat 78 and lid 80 are in their closed positions, as depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3, natural ventilation of the interior of seat box 66 will occur through the main ventilating duct 48.

While the improved toilet system 10 of this invention has been shown and described in connection with railroad car 12 the system is readily adaptable for use in operation in any vehicle. Furthermore, the toilet system could be incorporated in a single housing or structure and be used as a portable chemical toilet with particular adaptability to construction sites and other building areas, parks, playgrounds, recreational areas and the like.

While only a certain preferred embodiment of this invention has been shown and described by way of illustration, many modifications within the true spirit and scope of this invention and within the following claims will occur to those skilled in the art.

What is claimed as new and what it is desired to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A toilet system comprising a toilet housing compartment having a large receiving tank positioned Within said compartment and containing a liquid chemical solution for decomposing purposes, a toilet seat mounted in said compartment and having an opening therethrough, said receiving tank having a passageway communicating with said toilet seat opening and being adapted and arranged to freely receive excrement from said toilet seat opening into said receiving tank, an enclosed holding tank positioned below said receiving tank and being larger than said receiving tank, passage means communicating between said tanks, said holding tank being adapted and arranged to receive and hold a plurality of periodic discharges of the contents of said receiving tank after excreta has built up therein, selectively operable valve means positioned in said passage means for transferring the contents of said receiving tank into said holding tank, said valve means including handle means inaccessible to the user of the toilet within said compartment to prevent inadvertent escape of the contents from said receiving tank to said holding tank.

2. The toilet system as defined in claim 1 wherein said holding tank includes an end wall and a bottom Wall, another valve means connected to said end wall of said holding tank closely adjacent said bottom wall, said valve means communicating with the interior of said holding tank whereby the contents of said holding tank may be periodically discharged through said other valve means.

3. The toilet system as defined in claim 2 wherein said bottom wall of said holding tank is generally V-shaped adjacent said end wall, said bottom wall adjacent said end Wall being at a lower elevation than said bottom wall adjacent the other end wall, said other valve means being positioned closely adjacent the lower portion of said V-shaped bottom to permit the rapid and substantially complete discharge of the contents of said holding tank.

4. The toilet system as defined in claim 1 wherein said receiving tank includes baffle means generally horizontally disposed therein and extending thereacross, said baflie means being connected to the sides of said receiving tank at the approximate liquid level thereof to deter movement of the liquid chemical solution therein during use of the toilet and during transportation of the toilet system.

5. The toilet system as defined in claim 1 further comprising a toilet seat box positioned within said compartment and enclosing said receiving tank, said toilet seat box having a top wall with an opening therethrough, said toilet seat being pivotally attached to said top wall of said toilet seat box with its opening in registry with the opening through said top wall of said toilet seat box, a first sealing gasket positioned between and sealing said toilet seat and said top wall of said toilet seat box, a second sealing gasket connected to the cover of said toilet seat and sealing therewith whereby noxious odors generated within the receiving tank are inhibited from entering said compartment when said toilet seat and cover thereof are in their closed positions.

6. The toilet system as defined in claim 5 wherein said toilet housing compartment includes a doorway for ingress and egress of the users of the toilet system, a door hingedly attached to said compartment for closing said doorway, and sealing gasket means positioned between said door and doorway and sealing with said door when in its closed position whereby noxious odors generated within the receiving tank and become present in said compartment are inhibited from escaping therefrom.

7. The toilet system as defined in claim 1 wherein said holding tank includes an end wall, a relief valve positioned in said end wall closely adjacent the top of said holding tank, said relief valve communicating with the interior of said holding tank to provide an escape through said relief valve for gases which may build up from waste products within said holding tank.

8. The toilet system as defined in claim 1 wherein said receiving tank includes a bottom wall having a centrally disposed opening therein communicating with said passage means, said bottom wall of said receiving tank being generally funnel-shaped and including portions which slope generally downwardly and inwardly toward the opening therein whereby the contents of said receiving tank may be rapidly and completely discharged through said passage means into said holding tank.

9. The toilet system as defined in claim 1 wherein said system is mounted on a railroad car with said toilet housing compartment and its contents being positioned interiorly of the railroad car, said holding tank being positioned exteriorly of the railroad car therethrough and said handle means being operable from a position exteriorly of the railroad car.

10. The toilet system as defined in claim 1 wherein said system is mounted on a railroad car with said toilet housing compartment and its contents being positioned interiorly of the railroad car, said holding tank being positioned exteriorly of the railroad car therebeneath, said handle means being operable from a position exteriorly of the railroad car, said toilet housing compartment including a doorway for ingress and egress of users of the toilet system, a door hingedly attached to said compartment for closing said doorway, sealing gasket means positioned between said doorway and door and sealing with said door when in its closed position whereby noxious odors generated within the receiving tank and become present in said compartment are inhibited from escaping therefrom into the interior of the railroad car, a toilet seat box positioned within .said compartment and enclosing said receiving tank, said toilet seat box having a top wall with an opening therethrough, said toilet seat being pivotally attached to said top wall of said toilet seat box with its opening in registry with the opening through said top wall of said toilet seat box, a first sealing gasket positioned between and sealing said toilet seat and said top wall of said toilet seat box, a second sealing gasket connected to the cover of said toilet seat and sealing with said toilet seat whereby noxious odors generated within the receiving tank are inhibited from entering said compartment when said toilet seat and cover thereof are in their closed positions.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 964,217 7/1910 Cronk 48 1,113,186 10/1914 Berry 48 1,663,282 3/1928 Rushe 48 2,094,537 9/1937 Hinds 414 2,817,091 12/1957 Painter 41 3,005,205 10/1961 Breen 41 3,079,612 3/1963 Corliss 4-10 3,320,621 5/1967 Vita 4-10 FOREIGN PATENTS 337,574 11/1930 Great Britain 48 359,560 10/1931 Great Britain 48 FRED C. MATTERN, JR., Primary Examiner H. K. ARTIS, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 4115 

